It takes 4.5 minutes to download a 1gb file from XD card raader.I
dont know if you consider that fast or slow,

Tony

You could be using the USB1.0/1.1/2.0 version of the card reader which is slow. I use the latest USB2.0 Hi-Speed reader which is a lot faster than the older version and more compatible with the various card formats.

Make sure you have the USB2.0 Hi-Speed version NOT just USB2.0 version which is no better than the 1.0.

USB1.0/1.1/2.0 transfers data at no faster than 1.5MB/s.

USB2.0 Hi-Speed transfers data at a rate of up to 60MB/s - 40 times faster.